SIG Sauer announced the addition of the P320 XCompact to the P320 X-Series pistol line at SHOT Show 2019. The P320 XCompact will bring the features of the P320 X-series pistols to a more concealable handgun. The new P320 XCompact offers shooters several features appealing to the concealed carry group, including a redesigned grip for comfort and better control. These features offer benefits for detectives and administrative officers, or officers preferring a smaller framed duty handgun.

SHOT Show 2019 delivered quite a few new firearm and product announcements, and the new SIG Sauer P320 XCompact is a great addition to an already popular line of handguns. We’ll jump into the features that make this new handgun worth a look.

RMA Armament has just introduced their newest Level III+ rifle-graded ballistic plates, the Model 1090. These new ballistic plates are made from highly resistant but lighter weight polyethylene, and come in a single curve configuration. The use of rifle-grade ballistic plates used to be reserved for military units, and specialized tactical teams (SWAT) for law enforcement. However, in recent decades the advent of high-profile mass killings and police response to active shooter or spree killer incidents has revealed the need for police officers to have rifle-grade ballistic protection available even at the patrol officer level.

Though a relative newcomer to the ballistic armor market, RMA has made a very positive impact on those in need of ballistic protection. Making their ballistic plates to the highest NIJ specifications, RMA Armament has quickly gained the reputation for high quality ballistic plates suitable for SWAT or Patrol officer use. In particular, the use of polyethylene (UHMWP) has been a vital improvement in the overall portability of heavy armor plates, and RMA Armament has mastered its use in armor plates providing excellent protection, while helping to reduce overall weight.

BlueSheepdog has had the opportunity to examine RMA ballistic plates at SHOT Show several times. The quality of construction is top-notch, and staff extremely friendly and helpful, and the tests products clearly indicate a superior product capable of protecting as advertised. Another benefit of using polyethylene is the user gains a bit of bouyancy, where heavy ceramic or steel plates will only add to the weight dragging an officer under the surface should they find themselves in water.

This expansion in red dot/reflex optic popularity is not a simple trend either. Just as red dot/reflex optics provide rifle shooters incredible advantages over traditional iron sights or magnified optics, the same benefits can be found when using a red dot/reflex optic on a pistol. In fact, some say the benefit of a red dot/reflex optic is experienced more when using a pistol over a rifle or shotgun. These optics can provide incredibly faster and more accurate shooting, designed to draw the shooter’s eye to a specific and lit aiming point rather than pairing up a front and rear sight.

The SIG Sauer Academy began operation in 1990 as the SIGARMS Academy. The Academy is dedicated to instructing shooters, armorers, and firearms instructors on SIG Sauer firearms, but also general firearms skills with the shooter’s chosen firearm as well. Though many have believed the Academy will only teach shooting on SIG Sauer firearms, one of the Academy mottos is, “No matter what firearm you shoot, we’ll make you a better shooter, guaranteed.” The Academy provides courses in handguns, shotguns, rifles, precision rifles, and even enhanced tactics.

Strike Industries has just released their Viper Enhanced Pistol Grip for the AR-15 or AR-10 model rifles. The new Viper grip incorporates several design features to enhance the shooter’s grip and comfort while shooting. Of particular note, is the optional grip angle the Viper offers to maximize the individualized preferences of shooters. This is an incredible development and quite frankly something that should have been available for years.

In the last few years Strike Industries has been producing an incredible amount of new products, pushing the envelope on design enhancements, and overall kicking butt in offering products with real-life improvements over simple aesthetic appeal. BlueSheepdog has had the opportunity to review several S.I. products, and each time we have come out on the other end pleased with the products’ design and manufacturing quality, and enhancement of end-user compatibility.

Wrap Technologies of Las Vegas, Nevada has introduced the BolaWrap™ 100 less lethal device for law enforcement. The BolaWrap is a hand-held device appearing to be a cross between a large remote control and a flat electric razor, and has earned a nickname of the “Lasso Gun.” Using an easy bush-button trigger, the BolaWrap is designed to propel a Kevlar tether at about 380 feet-per-second (fps) towards the intended target. As the Kevlar tether leaves the BolaWrap cartridge it expands out in a horizontal line. Upon impact with a target the tether wraps around legs, body or arms of the target with enough energy to wrap the target several times, leaving no unused portion of the tether dangling free.

Police use of force is one of the hottest debates in America today, so law enforcement leaders and officers must take note and continue to examine, review, and even modify training and procedures. Along with those reviews, keeping abreast of new technology, techniques, and opportunities to de-escalate dangerous confrontations should be paramount. There are plenty of gimmicks on the market to avoid, so wise police administrators should be cautious when evaluating the newest device or technique. However, occasionally the new idea makes a lot of sense. We’ll dive into the benefits and limitations of the BolaWrap and let you decide.

Otis Technology has just announced the release of their Tactical Cleaning Kit. This compact cleaning kit is designed to provide the most applicable cleaning supplies for a variety of highly popular firearm calibers. According to Otis, this new cleaning kit is a descendant of the “Whole Kit and Caboodle” cleaning kits.

The benefit of the Tactical Cleaning Kit is a very compact cleaning kit that can be packed in a backpack, range bag, go-bag, or even pocket with ease, and yet still offers a significant amount of cleaning supplies for some of the most popular caliber firearms on the market. The “Tactical” name is very appropriate, considering the kit contains cleaning supplies for almost every firearm a police officer will field (pistol, rifle, and shotgun).